Atopic dermatitis (AD) remains the most prevalent chronic inflammatory skin disease, so its large military of drugs and guidelines to aid in its management and diagnosis. AD involves different medical specialties for its care and management. 

A study delineates the therapeutic and diagnostic approaches to the AD of allergists, dermatologists, and pediatricians and also verified their compliance with the guidelines. 

It was a cross-sectional study that utilized data collected from the electronic questionnaire given by participating medical societies to their medical associates. 

The following observations were made-

• 1,473 physicians participated in the survey.
• 91.9% of pediatricians, 97.5% of dermatologists, and 100% of allergists reported using moisturizers as part of AD treatment.
• Pediatricians (57%) were less likely to prefer the use of new emollients than dermatologists (75.9%) and allergists (71.4%).
• Wet-wrap therapy was less likely preferred by dermatologists (16.3%) than allergists (51%).
• Allergists (65.3%) more frequently recommended proactive treatment with topical corticosteroids as well as calcineurin inhibitors than pediatricians (43.3%) and dermatologists (40.8%)
• Pediatricians (69.2%) and dermatologists (59.2%) preferred using oral antihistamines to control pruritus.
• Allergists (77.5%) and dermatologists (60.8%) reported having more clinical experience with systemic immunomodulating agents, with cyclosporine being the choice.
• Pediatricians (89.8%), dermatologists (86.9%), as well as allergists (100%), recommended environmental control of aeroallergens. 

Thus differences were observed among allergists, dermatologists, and pediatricians in the therapeutic and diagnostic practices to AD. These practices even differed from those recommended by the guidelines, particularly regarding the use of wet-wrap therapy, proactive treatment utilizing topical corticosteroids or calcineurin inhibitors, anti-histamines administration, advice of phototherapy, and checking aeroallergens.

Source- Dermatology Research and Practice,2021; 2021. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/6050091